Jeremiah 39:11-12
“Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon gave Nebuzaradan captain of the king’s bodyguard special orders regarding Jeremiah: ‘Look out for him. Make sure nothing bad happens to him. Give him anything he wants.’”
“King Nebuchadnezzar had told Nebuzaradan, the captain of the guard, to find Jeremiah. ‘See that he isn’t hurt,’ he said. ‘Look after him well, and give him anything he wants.’”
God provides what we need when we really need it. Earlier in the chapter we learn the siege of Jerusalem lasted two and a half years. Jeremiah suffered along with everyone else in the city. It could be said this special treatment by Nebuchadnezzar is nothing more than a reward to a man who prophesized on Babylon’s side. But it is God’s doing nevertheless. He rarely chooses the miraculous as a vehicle for his interactions with us. More often he works through people and events in our lives. Those who walk by faith see his footsteps where the world says, ‘coincidence.’ The chapter closes with Jeremiah’s message to Ebed-melech. God graciously promises him deliverance also. God rewarded both Jeremiah and Ebed-melec not because he owed it to them. He is God and beholden to no one. He cared for his loyal followers because it is his nature. He is a good God.
Lord, may I trust you as these two men, living for you even when the valley is deep in darkness. You are my good shepherd, faithful to provide what I need, when I need it.